Tonight's Blog Thursday, May 16, 

 

We have two more sermons from our series through 1 John called “Walking Light.” I love the way that this material

has shaped and guided our discussion of the kind of Christian life that can available for all. In June, we get to start a series called “StoryTeller” from Mark’s Gospel. In this, the shortest of the 4 Gospels, Mark is sharing with us the skills that were developed, the stories that were told, and the people who were changed by being with Jesus. Our challenge is to become a story for Jesus. Not to tell a story, but to be a story. 

When you read Mark's Gospel, you will learn a lot about this young man who we read about in the book of Acts. Mark’s name is mentioned by Paul and by Peter in their letters. He could have been remembered as the kid who gave up, and ran back home. He could have been remembered as the relative who came between Paul and Barnabas, causing a very sharp disagreement. He could have been forever the kid who was “out-shined” by his mom and his other famous relative. You will see that he became a great story. In his gospel, the StoryTeller, who was changed, becomes a part of the story! 

 

Our challenge isn’t just to preach these stories. We want to see our small groups expand a to become a dance of

the scripture and the sermon in all of our small groups. You see, we are a Scripture driven church. Some churches are personality driven. Others are program driven, or music driven, or Sunday school, or future driven or past driven. We are becoming a scripture driven church. The best way to do this is to become a StoryTelling church. We want to publish our questions and many parts of our sermons ahead of our sermon time so you can prepare by asking yourself a few questions to prepare. Here are a few optional questions, so you can see what we mean. 

 

 (1) What is our A.I.M. What is the # 1 meaning of this passage? What are some alternate meanings you should reject? Is it really possible to know what the author meant? 

 

(2) Observable facts about the Passage "I want you to know something that you wouldn't have known if you didn't read this passage"

 

(3) What are some actions that are inspired by this passage? Specifically, our goal is to take some action away from this scripture.  What change must take place because I have seen myself in the mirror of this scripture? The take-away should make me ask this question, "If it doesn't make you want to change something, then I missed the best part of this passage."

  

(4) What are a few genuine applications that this scripture will naturally reveal? Are there ideas to expand? How can I make this passage more personal?  "If it isn't personal, it could be about you but not for you"

 

Anyway, those are a few thoughts for tonight, GOD Bless you, big marv